Security professionals are witnessing a steady transition from plastic cards and physical keys to smartphone-based credentials and cloud-connected visitor management platforms.
As mobile technology reshapes access control, security professionals are witnessing a steady transition from plastic cards and physical keys to smartphone-based credentials and cloud-connected visitor management platforms. This change is driven by the need for greater convenience, real-time control, and stronger security across multi-tenant environments such as office towers, campuses, and mixed-use complexes.
For integrators and consultants, this trend signals a clear shift in how buildings handle identity verification and entry permissions. Smartphones now serve as secure, always-connected access tools that combine biometric verification, encrypted communication, and centralized management.
At the same time, visitor management systems are evolving into comprehensive solutions that enhance both the guest experience and operational oversight.
Industry experts agree that the convergence of these technologies offers a significant opportunity for organizations to streamline workflows, reduce costs, and strengthen compliance, all while maintaining a seamless user experience.
Mobile credentials: convenience meets stronger security
Mobile credentials are gaining widespread adoption across corporate campuses, co-working hubs, and multi-tenant facilities. The approach eliminates many of the vulnerabilities linked to physical access cards, such as loss, duplication, or delayed replacement, while providing administrators with real-time visibility and control.
“Mobile access is really a win-win,” said James Clark, Director of Sales for EMEA and APAC at AMAG Technology. “From a security perspective, you can leverage the phone’s built-in protections like biometrics and revoke credentials instantly if a device is lost. From the user’s side, it could not be simpler. They download the credential, and it works just like Apple Pay or Google Pay. Tap your phone at the reader, and you are in.”
Clark explained that mobile credentials also lower long-term costs. “It is not just convenient, it is cost-effective. Companies save on the expense of badge printers, supplies, and shipping, and employees do not have to wait days for a new card if they lose one. Everything happens instantly, which is a big advantage in fast-moving, multi-tenant buildings,” he said.
Suprema CEO Hanchul Kim highlighted how digital credentials improve both security and operational flexibility. “Physical keys and cards get lost or cloned easily, especially in mixed-use sites where turnover is high,” he said. “With BioStar Air, credentials can be delivered directly to a smartphone through the cloud, reducing physical card handling. Access rights can be issued, modified, or revoked instantly for residents, employees, or contractors.”
Kim added that BioStar Air also simplifies access for temporary users. “For one-time visitors or delivery staff, BioStar Air offers dynamic QR codes or LinkPass that do not require app installation. This mobile-first approach keeps user experience seamless while ensuring every credential is secure, traceable, and manageable remotely,” he said.
Biometric and encryption layers add assurance
The integration of biometrics with smartphone-based access systems is enhancing both verification accuracy and ease of use. Devices equipped with fingerprint or facial recognition technology ensure that the individual presenting the credential is the authorized user, reducing risks linked to shared or stolen credentials.
Richard Tsui, Senior Technical Account Manager for Asia at Gallagher, said encrypted
mobile credentials and device-based authentication are now central to modern access control.
“By leveraging smartphones as dynamic, encrypted access tools, mobile credentials eliminate the risks associated with lost or stolen physical cards, utilizing time-sensitive tokens and device-based biometrics, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, to ensure secure, verifiable entry,” Tsui said.
He added that administrators benefit from better oversight and flexibility.
“Administrators benefit from real-time, remote management capabilities, enabling instant issuance, modification, or revocation of permissions via a centralized platform, while comprehensive audit trails enhance accountability,” he said.
Visitor management integration: the overlooked layer of access control
As building ecosystems grow more dynamic, managing visitors, contractors, and service staff has become a crucial part of maintaining security. Modern visitor management platforms bridge the gap between hospitality and access control, ensuring smooth yet controlled entry for all types of guests.
“Visitor management is a massive piece of the puzzle,” said Clark. “With Symmetry GUEST, you can pre-register visitors, send them directions and QR codes, and even take care of policy checks and NDAs before they arrive. That way, the process feels smooth and professional when they walk into the lobby instead of clunky. Not only does it make visitors feel expected and welcome, but it also gives a great first impression of the company.”
He added that the system improves traceability. “Behind the scenes, you have a digital record of who is in your building, when they arrived, who they are meeting, and when they leave. That is invaluable for compliance, audits, or even emergencies where you need an accurate headcount,” Clark said.
Kim explained that integrated visitor management is essential in large, high-traffic sites. “Visitors are a constant in hotels, co-working hubs, and retail-office complexes. Without integration, they often cause bottlenecks or security gaps,” he said. “BioStar Air integrates visitor management natively: admins or tenants can pre-register guests, issue time-limited QR or mobile passes, and monitor entry and exit in real time.”
The system also simplifies the guest experience. “Guests do not need to install apps. A QR sent by email or SMS provides controlled, one-time access. Every visitor action is logged and can be linked to video evidence through BioStar Air’s camera integration,” Kim said. “This ensures hospitality-grade convenience for guests but with enterprise-grade oversight for operators.”
From check-in to compliance: creating a unified workflow
Modern visitor management systems now connect directly with access control platforms through APIs, enabling real-time communication, automated credential management, and consistent data records. This allows organizations to combine operational efficiency with compliance assurance.
According to Tsui, today’s systems deliver a much higher level of integration. “Visitor management systems have transcended traditional sign-in sheets, delivering a sophisticated, integrated solution that enhances both security and convenience in mixed-use environments such as commercial-residential complexes or office-retail hubs,” he said.
Automation is a defining feature. “By seamlessly interfacing with access control systems through APIs, these advanced systems ensure robust security through real-time monitoring, comprehensive visitor tracking, and meticulous record-keeping, which are crucial for overseeing non-regular personnel in dynamic settings,” Tsui explained.
He added that self-service and mobile-based registration are now expected features. “Streamlined processes, including self-service kiosk registration, pre-registration via intuitive tenant portals, and mobile form submissions, minimize wait times and elevate the visitor experience. Guests receive secure mobile credentials or dynamic QR codes via SMS or email, enabling swift, contactless entry while maintaining stringent oversight,” Tsui said.
Implications for integrators and consultants
For security systems integrators and consultants, the convergence of mobile access and visitor management represents a growing area of opportunity. Clients are increasingly demanding solutions that merge convenience with visibility, allowing them to manage access remotely while maintaining full compliance.
Mobile access systems reduce dependency on physical infrastructure and enable scalable deployment across multiple sites. Visitor management integration adds another layer of value, supporting digital record-keeping, audit readiness, and improved tenant satisfaction in shared environments.
At the same time, integrators must prioritize cybersecurity and privacy, ensuring that credential data and visitor records are encrypted, policy-compliant, and protected from unauthorized access.
As the technology matures, mobile credentials, biometric verification, and intelligent visitor management will continue to define the next generation of building security. These advancements create not only safer facilities but also a more connected and intuitive experience for users.
As Kim noted, “This mobile-first approach keeps user experience seamless while ensuring every credential is secure, traceable, and manageable remotely.”